RECEIVED

CLERK’S OFFICE

APR25 2005

April

21,2005

STATE OF ILLINOIS

Pollutioq ~ontroIBoarc~

To Whom It May Concern:

\

I am writing in reference to the proposed landfill to be sited in Kankakee

County. Prior to moving to Kankakee my wife and I resided in Blue Island,

IL. I was very active in the community so much so that I was elected to the

local school board and alderman. During that period of time moneyed

interests came to Robins, IL in an attempt to build an incinerator. The

developer of the incinerator assured the residence that our health would not

be impacted nor would our property values decrease. To make a long story

short the incinerator was eventually shut down with the help of many fine

citizens and Senator Patrick O’Malley. In spite ofthe assurances of the

developer and the gifts/incentives given to the officials of Robins common

sense prevailed.

My wife and I move to Kankakee to find our selves faced with the same

dilemma. Issues of public health, property values, and quality of life are

secondary to those that are lured by the fees they will derive from the waste

haulers. Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not a NIMBY (Not In My

Back Yard). But I am also not one who will accept short-term gain with the

potential for long-term pain. I could support a landfill that would accept

local refuse Only and not be located adjacent to or near the Kankakee River.

You have heard the expression that image is everything. Kankakee has had

an image problem. A landfill will not improve the Cities image nor attract

the type of developers that could go a long way toward solving many of

Kankakee County’s problems.

Sinc~r~Iy,